Aaron ‘Ari’ Derthanil was a disappointment from the very first time she drew breath. Her parents had tried and tried to conceive a child for many years and had all but given up hope. Finally, in her late 30’s, her mother had become pregnant and nine difficult months later, Ari was born. Unfortunately the difficulties and risks of childbirth claimed the life of her mother, leaving only her father to care for her. Much to his disappointment… Ari was a girl.
With his wife gone, and a promise made to protect their daughter made, her father acted in desperation. He named the child Aaron, forced the midwife into maintaining secrecy, and passed the child off as a boy to the rest of the village. She was enrolled, as a boy, in the local school and monastery. Her opportunities to socialize were minimal as she was always kept home unless she was training or learningÂ… in fear her secret would be revealed through innocent interaction with the other children. This gave her reason for maintaining intense training. She used her time in the monastery as an excuse to get out of the house. While she far exceeded the skills of the other students, her resentment towards her situation caused her to become bitter and rebellious.
After many years of being at the top of her class, academically and physically, eventually it became impossible for her to keep her secret any longer. Puberty hit and it was plainly apparent when her cloths no longer fit properly. When it was discovered that she was, indeed, a girl, she was expelled from her school and tossed out of the monastery. Her father was confronted and, with the stress of the incident being too much for him to handle, collapsed and died from heart failure. At that moment Ari was without home, family or friend. At 13 years old, she was forced to leave the only home she ever knew. Alone and without money, she made for the capital city to start anew.
It wasnÂ’t long before the locals tried to prey upon the young girl. A pretty little thing from the countryside was usually easy pickings for the gangs and otherÂ… lecherous citizens. Fortunately for young, AriÂ… she was more than enough match for those who tried anything. A pair of farmers KamaÂ’s or even simply her fists, and she would send them running. Eventually she found work with some of the less-sinister gangs. Working as a beggar, a spotter or a simple cutpurse she earned her keep. She managed this lifestyle for a couple of years before she was swept up in an anti-crime movement. She managed to escape the cityÂ… just barely.
She now finds herself in Sigil. Sixteen years old, full of youthful spite, bravado and attitudeÂ… and very deadly. It wonÂ’t be long until her funds run out so the need to join up with a group of money huntersÂ… mercenaries would be an apt word, is required. Until one presents itselfÂ… sheÂ’ll take whatever steps are necessary to survive as she always has.
Ari
